Why Spags Departing Chiefs Feels Inevitable This Time

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator won't leave for just any head job, but likely would for this one.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Reid made one of the best hires in Chiefs franchise history when he brought Steve Spagnuolo to Kansas City in 2019.

Now, another team might soon hire Spagnuolo.

Insider Ian Rapoport said Monday morning that the Titans have completed the first step in the formal process, serving Reid with an official head-coach interview request for his defensive coordinator.

Add #Colts DC Lou Anarumo to the list of four early requests from the #Titans. https://t.co/jhnTi0ZclV

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2026

Familiar face in Tennessee

Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi is heading the search and he’s very familiar with Spagnuolo. The two worked together in Kansas City from 2019-24 while Borgonzi was assistant general manager after his promotion from director of football operations.

Asked last week about his interest in becoming a head coach again, Spagnuolo was focused on the team’s final game, which wound up a 14-12 loss at Las Vegas.

Mike Borgonzi, general manager for the Tennessee Titans, fields questions from the media at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, July 22, 2025. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“I'm not gonna go down that road right now,” Spagnuolo said Thursday. “I mean, I'm involved in in this. But listen, I'm a prideful guy. We'll see what happens at the end of the year.”

Spagnuolo is annually on head-coach interview lists, not simply because he’s guided one of the NFL’s most formidable defensive units over the past seven seasons. He also has head-coach experience, albeit a failed first career tenure at the reins of the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11.

Dec 17, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo coaches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

ideal situation likely in New York

Spagnuolo also served as interim head coach of the New York Giants in 2017.

And while Spagnuolo is annually on those interview lists, teams have had to wait for him to become exclusively available because the Chiefs are always in the midst of deep playoff runs.

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Not this year. Kansas City has missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, and Spagnuolo is ready to interview. But don’t think Spagnuolo will accept just any job.

The only offensive or defensive coordinator in NFL history to win Super Bowls with multiple franchises, and the only to earn four Super Bowl rings in that role, Spagnuolo is expected to interview teams as much as they interview him.

Dec 10, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

His ideal opportunity could be with the Giants, though. New York has an exciting young franchise quarterback already in place in Jaxson Dart. That organization also is one of the more respected franchises in the league, with stable ownership.

Spagnuolo obviously has familiarity with the team, having helped the Giants to a Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady’s Patriots in 2007.

Among NFL teams in points allowed per game, over the last three seasons, Spagnolo’s unit has finished sixth (19.3 in 2025), fourth (19.2 in 2024) and second (17.3 in 2023).

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